Elderly voters seek dignified access to ballot box

With only a fortnight left for the local body elections, senior citizens across Kerala have come up with a set of demands aimed at ensuring a smooth and dignified voting experience. At the heart of their appeal is the introduction of home voting options for bedridden and paralysed elderly voters, many of whom may not be able to reach polling stations. 

Some of the organisations have already taken up the demand with the election authorities. However, there is no clarity on the number of voters in need of home voting option.

Kerala Senior Citizens’ Forum State general secretary C. Kumaran says a request has already been submitted to the State Election Commission, stating that there is still sufficient time to think about the possibility of providing the option. “There was a home voting option during the previous Lok Sabha elections and it proved helpful for many who otherwise would not have voted,” he points out.

The forum also highlights the need for separate queues for elderly voters, stressing that dividing senior voters on the basis of age—such as those above 70 years—was impractical and unfair. Many physically unwell voters below 70 years may also require priority assistance, they argue.

K.V. Mathew, a senior voter from Wayanad district and the State committee member of the Senior Citizens Forum, acknowledges that extending home voting option to all senior citizens may not be practical, but the service can benefit at least the bedridden voters. For those visiting polling stations with caregiver support, he says, proper seating, shade and drinking water arrangements are basic requirements.  

In Kozhikode district, the senior citizens’ forum led by K.M. Sreedharan and D. Suresh have submitted a detailed request to the District Election Officer, urging instructions to the police and election authorities to introduce a special queue for elderly voters at the polling stations. They point out that this basic arrangement is essential for all aged ones, especially those under medication.

Fund diversion

Some of the senior citizens’ forums have also expressed displeasure at the practice of local bodies diverting the 5% Plan funds meant for senior citizens’ welfare to other projects. They allege that the diversion of sanctioned funds in the name of palliative care projects is one of the wrong trends followed by some local administrators. “We have already listed our priorities to the candidates of all parties. Our opinion matters as about 20% of Kerala’s voters are aged above 60 years,” says M. Viswanathan, a member of the Senior Citizens’ Forum. He also adds that the benefits now being enjoyed by the elderly people’s community are the result of such demands.